In a recent interview, former CIA Director Michael Hayden spoke on the roles of the US in leading allies with artificial intelligence (AI) development. He stated that while the US should lead the way in innovation and staying on the cutting edge of AI development, it is not the job of the US to keep allies on the same level.
Hayden clarified by saying that while the US should act as a mentor to allies in the space, the US cannot and should not be solely responsible for guiding and enabling all other countries in their efforts. He also noted that it is important to remember the importance of international collaboration when it comes to technological advancements, especially when talking about the “wildly complex” issues posed by AI.
Hayden even went a step further to discuss the ability for the US to work with countries that don’t necessarily have the same values or political stance as the US. He noted that the US does not have to agree with all of their allies’ activities, and instead must look at the larger goal and focus on the technology that can enhance the well-being of the population.
The former CIA Director believes it is a necessity to keep the lead in technological advancements such as AI, since it has a great impact on security and Russia and China are constantly pushing their own development. In order to keep the US and its allies competitive, it is important to keep up with the latest development while also considering the important ethical implications of using such technology.
Hayden’s words remind us of the complexity of the international environment today. It is clear that the US and its allies must work together to ensure the development of AI technology is handled with safety and security at the heart of it. With that, the US should be aiming to be a facilitator between allies while not losing sight of the importance of continued innovation.
